Nantucket Sleighride (To Owen Coffin)

Goodbye, little Robin-Marie

Don't try following me

Don't cry, little Robin-Marie

'Cause you know I'm coming home soon

My ships' leaving on a three-year tour

The next tide will take us from shore

Windlaced, gather in sail and spray

On a search for the mighty sperm whale

Fly your willow branches

Wrap your body round my soul

Lay down your reeds and drums on my soft sheets

There are years behind us reaching

To the place where hearts are beating

And I know you're the last true love I'll ever meet

And I know you're the last true love I'll ever meet

Starbuck's sharpening his harpoon

The black man is playing his tune

An old salt's sleeping his watch away

He'll be drunk again before noon

Three years sailing on bended knee

We found no whales in the sea

Don't cry, little Robin-Marie

'Cause we'll be in sight of land soon

Fly your willow branches

Wrap your body round my soul

Lay down your reeds and drums on my soft sheets

There are years behind us reaching

To the place where hearts are beating

And I know you're the last true love I'll ever meet

And I know you're the last true love I'll ever meet